CUC board members clash on personnel directives

A Commonwealth Utilities Corp. board member questioned his fellow board members yesterday over a recent decision to open up five new positions each on Tinian and Rota and two for Saipan, urging that a cost-benefit analysis be completed first to determine the positions’ long-term need.

But board members fired back at David Sablan Jr.—a former board chair who is from Guam—saying he “wasn’t here” and wouldn’t know.

The debate centered over the board’s directive in August to open five new positions each on Rota and Tinian, and two on Saipan, in the wake of Typhoon Soudelor.

Sablan, during a meeting yesterday, urged that a cost-benefit analysis be done to see the need for the positions. The ongoing advertisements for the positions could still go forward to create a list when a need appears for the long term, he said.

In terms of “need,” Sablan appeared to be questioning board members on whether there was an increase in power generation or revenue generating capacity on Rota and Tinian that would warrant this need.

To his points, board director Alberto Taitano, from Rota, said they have already advertised the positions and should move forward “instead of trying to stall.”

“This discussion should have been made on the floor,” Taitano said. Sablan was not at that previous August meeting, where Taitano also made a motion to hire a Velma Palacios to a top management position, drawing legal and management objection.

For his part, board director Eric San Nicolas, from Tinian, said he does consult with Tinian and its line crew. Pointing to growing multi-million hotel-casino developments on the island, San Nicolas urged they not wait for three to five years to open a position.

But Sablan said the positions they opened are “not what’s needed on Tinian and Rota.”

After further exchanges, San Nicolas appeared to grow more frustrated, urging that discussion move on.

“This discussion is over, it’s done,” he said, before walking away from the conference table.

“Listen to me, I have the floor,” Sablan said. “Under Robert’s rules I have the floor.”

That remark drew a loud groan from board director Joe Torres.

Sablan went on to say the positions “must be assessed now to make sure we are not spending money or hiring people that we don’t really need.”

“Director Sablan, we need the positions in Rota,” Taitano fired back. “You have no business with Rota’s business.”

Board chair Adelina Roberto then urged that they discuss the matter in an executive session.

“We are not a Rota power company,” Sablan said. “We are the CUC power company.”

“I don’t care!” Taitano retorted. “Stop trying to answer about Rota.”

“Madame chair, any discussion we have on this issues must be had with reason and decorum,” Sablan urged. “You are attacking me because I am trying to be reasonable about how we spend our funds here at CUC. You people are just trying to hire people left and right. It seems like [that] is the most priority for you rather the system and that has to be addressed.”

Taitano noted that CUC’s chief financial officer had said that funding for personnel decisions was no issue, but Sablan said the question is if the need is there.

Board members motioned for and went on recess shortly afterwards.